If I am not good to myself, how can I expect anyone else to be good to me?
Maya AngelouRead
I thought if war did not include killing, I'd like to see one every year.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects a perspective on war, suggesting that its violent aspects overshadow any excitement or interest in its occurrence.
Maya Angelou's quote provocatively ponders the nature of war, implying that if it were devoid of death and destruction, it could be seen as an annual spectacle instead of the tragedy it truly is. It highlights the contrast between the allure of conflict and the moral implications of the violence it entails, challenging us to reconsider our fascination with war while acknowledging its horrific realities.
Themes
WarViolenceKillingPhilosophyPeace
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech discussing the consequences of conflict, one could use Angelou's quote to emphasize the need for peace.
More from Maya Angelou
All quotes βI find it interesting that the meanest life, the poorest existence, is attributed to God's will, but as human beings become more affluent, as their living standard and style begin to ascend the material scale, God descends the scale of responsibility at commensurate speed.
Maya AngelouRead
The white American man makes the white American woman maybe not superfluous but just a little kind of decoration. Not really important to turning around the wheels of the state. Well the black American woman has never been able to feel that way. No black American man at any time in our history in the United States has been able to feel that he didn't need that black woman right against him, shoulder to shoulder-in that cotton field, on the auction block, in the ghetto, wherever.
Maya AngelouRead
I dreamt we walked together along the shore. We made satisfying small talk and laughed. This morning I found sand in my shoe and a seashell in my pocket. Was I only dreaming?
Maya AngelouRead
I know that I'm not the easiest person to live with. The challenge I put on myself is so great that the person I live with feels himself challenged. I bring a lot to bear, and I don't know how not to.
Maya AngelouRead
I think Clinton, after getting into office and into Washington, was shocked at being bludgeoned. So he spent time trying to be all things to all people - one way guaranteed not to be successful or respected in a lion's den. You can't just play around with all those big cats - you've got to take somebody on.
Maya AngelouRead
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